In 1984, John Oldham M.D. began work on a personality system for normally healthy people based on the neurotic categories of the psychiatrist's "bible", the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, referred to in shorthand as DSM. Dr. Oldham worked on the committee for DSM-IV and is one of the leading psychiatrists in the United States. Currently, there are 14 different styles (or types) in Oldham's system.

The following descriptions are from the highly-recommended book The New Personality Self-Portrait by John Oldham and Lois Morris. If you are interested in this personality system, the book is vital for understanding it.

This other list matches common MB Types and Primary Functions with a person's dominant Oldham style. The MB/Function types were based on the underlying themes and descriptions of the Oldham styles. Even though the MB type might not match the Primary Function, nor does the function have to be primary for the Oldham style, it still represents the basic "flavor" of the personality style.

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